Civil Society Natural Resource Monitoring Network (CSNRMN)
The Natural Resources Monitoring Network was founded on December 19th, 2012, with the inclusion of 18 important ecology oriented Afghan civil society activists and organizations (the members consist both male and female).The Natural Resources Monitoring Network (NRMN) is an independent, non for profit, non-political body dedicated to promoting the peaceful and sustainable extraction and utilization of natural resources (minerals, water and forest) in Afghanistan. Transparent, responsible, inclusive and sustainable development of natural resources in Afghanistanis the vision of the network. Currently the network has more than 70 individuals and organizations as members including Kabul, Logar, Bamyan, Behsood, Herat and Parwan communities working for monitoring effective, transparent, ecology friendly, and peaceful use of Natural Resources to bring sustainable development, economic growth and social welfare.

Background
The Natural Resources Monitoring Network was founded on December 19th, 2012, with the inclusion of 18 important ecology oriented Afghan civil society activists and organizations (the members consist both male and female).The Natural Resources Monitoring Network (NRMN) is an independent, non for profit, non-political body dedicated to promoting the peaceful and sustainable extraction and utilization of natural resources (minerals, water and forest) in Afghanistan. Transparent, responsible, inclusive and sustainable development of natural resources in Afghanistanis the vision of the network. Currently the network has more than 70 individuals and organizations as members including Kabul, Logar, Bamyan, Behsood, Herat and Parwan communities working for monitoring effective, transparent, ecology friendly, and peaceful use of Natural Resources to bring sustainable development, economic growth and social welfare.

Background and aims:
The network calls for constructive dialogue with the relevant officials on the following key issues:

(1) Consultation on the draft mining legislation: The network members have been following the process of preparation of a new mining legislation but as of now have not able to access its draft. The network calls upon the Government of Afghanistan to make the draft available for wider consultation with the Afghan civil society. The network also expresses its interest in facilitating a broad and transparent consultation over the draft legislation;

(2) More specifically, the network urges the draft legislation to ensure that a percentage of the revenues of mines are allocated for the socio-economic development of the local communities;

(3) The network also highlights the need for assessment of implications of natural resources extraction on peace and stability in the country. This is concern is based on studies by network members and others that natural resources have the potential to cause new or reinforce existing conflicts at different levels;

(4) The network also calls upon the Ministry of Mines to consider revising its National Mining Policy in consultation with civil society organizations;

(5) The network appreciates the publication of most of the country’s mining contracts but urges the Ministry of Mines to publish the Aynak copper contract, Afghanistan’s biggest investment agreement;

(6) The network also calls upon the Ministry of Mines to publicly release details of companies and individuals that awarded contracts in the extractive sector;

(7) The network calls upon the Ministry of Mines and other relevant authorities to take effective measures to stop illegal extraction of natural resources and expand its control over the mining sites across the country.

(8) Finally the network highlights the importance of sustainable use of natural resources in a manner that the next generations have sustainable revenue streams when the reserves are depleted.